by Tom Pelissero, USA TODAY Sports

by Tom Pelissero, USA TODAY Sports

The Seattle Seahawks receiver announced the decision Tuesday night via his verified Twitter account, hours after getting a second opinion on the small tear in his labrum. The team later confirmed he will undergo surgery on Thursday.

Harvin, 25, was cleared to practice by Seahawks doctors last week but told them he wasn't comfortable and wanted a second opinion. He got it on Tuesday from a noted, hip specialist Dr. Bryan Kelly, at the Hospital for Special Surgery.

The question now is how much time Harvin will miss. Seahawks coach Pete Carroll told USA TODAY Sports last week that, if Harvin had surgery, "he's not going to play for the season." But Carroll softened those remarks in subsequent remarks to Seattle reporters.

Either way, Harvin is expected to miss extended time. Normal recovery from surgery from a torn labrum is 12 to 16 weeks. If the surgery happens this week, that would put Harvin's return in November or December.

The Seahawks likely will move Harvin to the reserve/physically unable to perform list, from which players now can be activated anytime between Week 7 and Week 15 under revised rules. They also could place him on injured reserve with designation to return.

Seattle knew about Harvin's injury history before trading first-, third- and seventh-round picks to the Minnesota Vikings for him in March and awarding him a five-year contract extension that included $25.5 million in guarantees.

The Seahawks host the Vikings on Nov. 17.

"We're all somewhat disappointed that he wasn't able to start from Day 1 this season," Seahawks general manager John Schneider told USA TODAY Sports on Friday.

"But that being said, we know that it's a long, long season and it's a marathon and we're going to do whatever we can to put our arms around him and help him out. He's going to get a second opinion, and once we have all the information, we'll make the right decision."

Carroll told reporters on Tuesday another of Seattle's top receivers, Sidney Rice, left training camp to undergo a non-surgical procedure on one of his knees in Switzerland but shouldn't miss any games. Golden Tate and Doug Baldwin top the depth chart for now.